ECC-Evangelical Covenant Church
Strangers in a Strange Land: Insider Movement
For those of us who seek to follow Christ, we can sometimes feel out of place, like we don't belong, or don't always fit in--as if we are exiles, foreigners in strange land. Worse, we can face persecution--as many do in parts of our world today. First Peter is a letter written by the Apostle Peter to several churches who were dealing with just this kind of strangeness. While persecution was not yet full-blown and formal, Christians in his day had to deal with misunderstandings, peer pressure, and the ups and downs of life on a fallen planet in a hostile land. Join us as we seek to hear what Peter had to say to his first readers and how it might apply to us, today.
Locations & Times
The Grove Covenant Church
3600 S 9th St, Lafayette, IN 47909, USA
Sunday 10:25 AM
Downloadable Bulletin
https://ecclife.net/bulletin
Communication Card
Let us know you worshiped at today's service! You can also sign up for newsletters or prayer. https://ecclife.net/commcard
How to Connect at ECC
Click below to explore many opportunities get connected.
https://www.ecclife.net/connect
https://www.ecclife.net/connect
Nursery Helpers Wanted
Our nursery attendance is growing, and we’re excited! If you’ve ever thought about joining our team, this summer is a great time to serve and see what it’s like to help care for our little ones. Students (6th grade and above) are also welcome to serve! If your student is in middle school, we do ask that an adult from your family serve alongside the student. Contact Pastor Kristin to learn more. kmueller@ecclife.net
Adult Christian Formation
Sunday mornings at 9:00am in person in the Great Room. The Adult Sunday School Class is starting a series on a book by Tim Keller entitled Forgive: Why Should I and How Can I?
Men's Ministry
• Wednesday Morning Men's Fellowship: Join us each week at 6:30am. The Wednesday Morning Men’s
group is studying a commentary by NT Wright on Romans 1-8. This group is currently meeting via Zoom.
For an invite, please email Ken Ritchey. We'd love to see you there! Contact: kritchey@tds.net
• Wednesday Evening Group: Pastor Kurt’s weekly study, will not meet on June 7 or 14. They will resume
their study of 1 Peter on June 21.
• Men’s Monthly Meal: Men of ECC, join us for our monthly meal on June 19 at 6:30pm at Teays River (3000 S 9th St) for good food and conversation.
group is studying a commentary by NT Wright on Romans 1-8. This group is currently meeting via Zoom.
For an invite, please email Ken Ritchey. We'd love to see you there! Contact: kritchey@tds.net
• Wednesday Evening Group: Pastor Kurt’s weekly study, will not meet on June 7 or 14. They will resume
their study of 1 Peter on June 21.
• Men’s Monthly Meal: Men of ECC, join us for our monthly meal on June 19 at 6:30pm at Teays River (3000 S 9th St) for good food and conversation.
Israel Trip
Registration is open for the January 2024 trip to Israel with Pastor Kurt and Jo Kincanon and Kate and Todd Cogswell, along with Covenant pastor Dr. John Delancey and Biblical Israel Ministries and Tours. Details and registration links can be found here: https://ecclife.net/israel.
Youth
The youth will be gathering a few times over the summer. If you would like to be kept updated on
these events, contact Pastor Chuck to get on the contact list.
Contact: cpotts@ecclife.net
these events, contact Pastor Chuck to get on the contact list.
Contact: cpotts@ecclife.net
Summer Kids Out Loud
This summer, there will be a few Sundays when our 1st-5th grade group will not meet. On Communion Sundays (June 4, July 2, and August 6), our elementary kids will remain in worship for the whole morning. We’ll plan an extra worship page, so have your kids grab a clipboard and enjoy the family worship experience! Nursery, preschool & kindergarten will continue to meet every week.
Women's Ministry
• Ladies Dinner Out: Ladies, on June 14 at 6:00pm, we will be gathering for dinner at Christos, 3291 Teal Rd, Lafayette. We will have dinner and an evening of conversation and connection with other women. The only cost is what you pay for your own dinner. We hope to see you there! RSVP is appreciated. Sign up here: https://ecclife.net/dinner.
Covenant Annual Meeting
Each year, delegates from Covenant Churches across the country meet to celebrate the mission of the Covenant church, vote on the budget, make policy decisions, welcome new churches, ordain clergy and missionaries, and pray and worship together. This year, the Annual Meeting of our denomination will take place in Garden Grove, California June 29-July 1. ECC can send up to four delegates to this meeting. Registration fees will be paid and scholarships for travel costs are available. Please email council@ecclife.net if you are interested in taking part. You can learn more here: http://www.covchurch.org/gather.
Summer XP
Calling all heroes! We need you to join us for Summer XP, our kids summer Bible experience, June 5-9! Join us at Miller Elementary each evening as we answer the call to serve God, bring peace, and build each other up. Every hero has a role to play, so we hope to see you there! Register here: https://ecclife.net/xp!
We are looking for specific materials for some of the science activities that we will be doing at Summer XP this year. If you’d like to make a donation, please check out our list of needs below. We will be collecting empty plastic water bottles (12-20oz size) and paper towel tubes at church from now until Summer XP. There will be a collection box in the church lobby where you can drop these things off.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054AAAAA2EA3FB6-summer
We are looking for specific materials for some of the science activities that we will be doing at Summer XP this year. If you’d like to make a donation, please check out our list of needs below. We will be collecting empty plastic water bottles (12-20oz size) and paper towel tubes at church from now until Summer XP. There will be a collection box in the church lobby where you can drop these things off.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/60B054AAAAA2EA3FB6-summer
LifeGroups
If you have not yet signed up for a LifeGroup (our small groups ministry), but might be interested in the future, please let us know by signing up on the link below. We will keep you updated when groups are open and new groups are being formed. We plan to do this two or three times a year. Sign up at https://ecclife.net/lifegroups
Spiritual Growth
Soul Training: Spiritual growth (transformation) comes when we participate with the Holy Spirit through "training our souls". We can pursue this work by engaging in practices that create space for God to do His forming work in us.
Because sometimes it is hard to know where to start or it is helpful to explore new practices, we have created and curated resources to help us invest in our own spiritual formation, individually and together.
As always, we invite you to do as you can, not as you can't. Consider choosing one practice to explore as you engage with God. https://ecclife.net/soul-training
• Daily Audio Bible: There is still time to join a Daily Audio Bible group. In about 20-30 minutes per day, you will hear the entire Bible in a year! We are making this journey together, listening to God’s word independently yet encouraging each other and sharing the truths God reveals to us for the first time or in new and exciting ways. Want to make this journey in community? Sign up to join a men's or women's group. Visit the Daily Audio Bible page find out more and sign up for a group.
https://ecclife.net/dab
(women) https://ecclife.net/dab-journey
(men) https://ecclife.net/dab-men
• 30-Day Gospel Reading Plan: One of the best ways to get to know God is by getting to know Jesus. One of the best ways to get to know Jesus is by regularly reading the gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We are encouraging each of us to be intentional about how we engage with God through scripture in 2023 and to move toward having a regular rhythm of engaging with God and his word. We have a guide available at here (https://ecclife.net/30-day-gospel-reading-plan). (There are multiple options so each of us can choose a plan that works for us to be in God’s word.)
https://ecclife.net/scripture
Because sometimes it is hard to know where to start or it is helpful to explore new practices, we have created and curated resources to help us invest in our own spiritual formation, individually and together.
As always, we invite you to do as you can, not as you can't. Consider choosing one practice to explore as you engage with God. https://ecclife.net/soul-training
• Daily Audio Bible: There is still time to join a Daily Audio Bible group. In about 20-30 minutes per day, you will hear the entire Bible in a year! We are making this journey together, listening to God’s word independently yet encouraging each other and sharing the truths God reveals to us for the first time or in new and exciting ways. Want to make this journey in community? Sign up to join a men's or women's group. Visit the Daily Audio Bible page find out more and sign up for a group.
https://ecclife.net/dab
(women) https://ecclife.net/dab-journey
(men) https://ecclife.net/dab-men
• 30-Day Gospel Reading Plan: One of the best ways to get to know God is by getting to know Jesus. One of the best ways to get to know Jesus is by regularly reading the gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. We are encouraging each of us to be intentional about how we engage with God through scripture in 2023 and to move toward having a regular rhythm of engaging with God and his word. We have a guide available at here (https://ecclife.net/30-day-gospel-reading-plan). (There are multiple options so each of us can choose a plan that works for us to be in God’s word.)
https://ecclife.net/scripture
Giving Online
You can give your offerings here. You can also give to special areas by commenting in the memo line. https://ecclife.net/give
Stewardship
https://ecclife.net/stewardship
Prayer Items
https://ecclife.net/prayer-requests
Strangers in a Strange Land: Insider Movement
June 4, 2023
First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday
Pastor Stacey Littlefield
June 4, 2023
First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday
Pastor Stacey Littlefield
A Question to Ponder.
What about today's passage (1 Peter 3.1-7) and it's context (2.11-3.7) do you find most challenging? What, if anything, in the passage gives you hope or encourages you about life as a follower of Jesus in our beautiful but broken world?
What about today's passage (1 Peter 3.1-7) and it's context (2.11-3.7) do you find most challenging? What, if anything, in the passage gives you hope or encourages you about life as a follower of Jesus in our beautiful but broken world?
A Question to Ponder.
Read 1 Corinthians 9.19-23. How do the Apostle Paul's words relate to, inform, or challenge the passage for today (1 Peter 3.1-7)?
Read 1 Corinthians 9.19-23. How do the Apostle Paul's words relate to, inform, or challenge the passage for today (1 Peter 3.1-7)?
A Question to Ponder.
What in this passage do you learn about God? About Jesus? About your relationship with God and your place in this world? How might this passage impact the way you live and relate to others--your family, friends, co-workers, or complete strangers?
What in this passage do you learn about God? About Jesus? About your relationship with God and your place in this world? How might this passage impact the way you live and relate to others--your family, friends, co-workers, or complete strangers?
A Practice to Engage.
Consider this question from the close of the message today, and pray over it in the coming days.
What would it look like in this day and age, if we, the people of God, lived our lives like Jesus, who, when insulted and tortured and put to death, did not retaliate? What if we, like Jesus, chose, rather, to entrust ourselves to God, who judges justly? What if we willingly laid down our lives for one another--husbands and wives--dying to sin, dying to self, and living righteously for the sake of others, just as Jesus did?
Consider this question from the close of the message today, and pray over it in the coming days.
What would it look like in this day and age, if we, the people of God, lived our lives like Jesus, who, when insulted and tortured and put to death, did not retaliate? What if we, like Jesus, chose, rather, to entrust ourselves to God, who judges justly? What if we willingly laid down our lives for one another--husbands and wives--dying to sin, dying to self, and living righteously for the sake of others, just as Jesus did?
Soul Training Exercises
Click the link below to visit our Soul Training page where you will find an introduction to spiritual practices and a wide variety of places to begin or add to your own transformational journey.
https://ecclife.net/soul-trainingHudson Taylor
To learn more about Hudson Taylor, the China Inland Mission, and the challenges and controversy surrounding Taylor's cultural adaptations in missions, follow the link below.
https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/fashion-statementInsider Movement (Wikipedia)
To learn more about the Insider Movement in missions, follow the Wikipedia link below.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insider_movement#Further_readingBible Project Overview of 1 Peter
Click the link below to watch a video overview of 1 Peter, from the Bible Project.
https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/1-peter/First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday
Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, forever and ever. Amen.